but somewhat fatigued, and have had a good rest. We visit Lydia L. to-day, and to-morrow your mother proposes to go to the Orchard, starting on the morning express, while I leave for Washington at the same time. Give our love to John, and all the dear ones at the Orchard, and wish them a "merry Christmas," a "cold 1st of January," and a warm 4th of July " Your affectionate father, D. S. DICKINSON. MR. DICKINSON TO MRS. DICKINSON. WILLARD'S HOTEL, WASHINGTON, MY DEAR LYDIA-I hope you reached our dear home in safety. I felt concerned about you, but thought you might be happier to go home than to be left at the hotel alone, during my trip to Washington. You had been with me so long that is seemed hard to part with you. On the whole, for so much haste, so much work, so much travel, and so much cold, we had a pleasant time of it East. I had a hard, comfortless ride here, I assure you. I left the cars but once, and that to change at Philadelphia; and though due here at six, did not arrive until after midnight. On the way, we could get nothing that I would or could eat except some hard dry bread. We were detained by break-downs, freight trains, &c., in the God-forsaken Maryland woods, and I never had my patience so sorely tried in my life. The road is a mean, miserable, moping monopoly, cursed with everything stupid and knavish. We reached here and could get no supper but some fat jowl that reminded me of " Oily Gammon," and we could not eat that, so we went out to a restaurant at one o'clock, and got a poor supper, then went to bed. I had a fine morning sleep, and feel quite well. The house is a perfect camp; mud and dirt two inches deep on the floors below, and crowded full. I shall close up my business and get away as soon as possible, for there is no comfort here. Try to be as happy and contented as you can, and remember that I am, as ever, Your most affectionate, D. S. DICKINSON. MR. DICKINSON TO MRS. CHARLOTTE M. DICKINSON. WASHINGTON, January 1, 1862. MY DEAR CHARLOTTE-May God grant you a happy New Year, with all its attending blessings, and may you live long to cherish, protect, and console those who love you, and cheer life's toilsome journey to its close. Most affectionately, D. S. DICKINSON. MR. DICKINSON TO MRS. DICKINSON. WASHINGTON, January 1, 1862. MY BELOVED LYDIA-May God give you a happy New Year, and bless our cherished home, and those we love. May you, my dear, enjoy every blessing which our Heavenly Father extends to His children, and be free from sickness and sorrow, in entering upon an untried year. I hope to get away to-morrow or next day. Yesterday I presented my colors to the 89th, and made a speech; lectured at the Smithsonian in the evening, and made a speech here at a serenade on my return. I have not heard from you, and probably shall not until I get to New York. I am quite well-better than when I came, because more rested. Most affectionately, your husband, D. S. DICKINSON. MR. DICKINSON TO MRS. SALMON. PITTSFIELD, January 16, 1862. MY DEAR LOUISA-I did cherish a hope that I might meet my long-lost cousin here, and lament not only the disappointment but the ill-health which prevented your coming. I am exceedingly glad to meet your husband and son, for it seems to bring you nearer. If I had a few hours, I would call and see you, but I am as usual the sport of the elements, and must hurry back to Albany. I spent the Sabbath at the Orchard-the first day I have been there since the 5th of December. They were all well. Mrs. D will spend some time in Albany, and I hope during the winter " we three may meet again." May Heaven bless you, and those you love. D. S. DICKINSON. MR. DICKINSON TO MRS. DICKINSON. ALBANY, January 17, 1862. MY DEAR L-I went to Pittsfield by way of Bridgeport and Housatonic. Saw Mr. Eli Mygatt's good face at Bridgeport, just where we saw him when you and I were last there. Just after the cars started, a fine, bright-looking young lady, Miss Ellen Mygatt, came and introduced herself to me. We all sat together and had a pleasant ride to New Milford. I was exceedingly pleased with her, especially as she thought I looked better than my picture. She and her father sent their regards to you. I met Mr. Salmon and his son at Pittsfield, but Louisa was not well enough to come over from Richmond in the cold. Had a fine time, and fine success at Pittsfield, the largest audience of the season, and very enthusiastic. Very affectionately, D. S. DICKINSON. MR. DICKINSON TO MRS. MYGATT. DELAVAN HOUSE, ALBANY, MY DARLING MARY-I should have answered your beautiful and touching letter before, but that I have been upon time's rough and rapid stream as usual, and have had no opportunity in which I could pen a sentiment worthy of the occasion if I felt one. I experienced more grief, my child, than you or any other young person can imagine, on your leaving the home of your childhood and early affections; and it brought more real joy to my heart when it was decided that you were to return, than it could to one just emerging upon the ocean of life, with a long day and prosperous passage in expectation. The affections of the young are fresh and buoyant and ductile. They are full of love and hope,-if their hearts are pierced, the wound soon heals, and they look for a brighter and a fairer sunshine upon each succeeding hill-top. But life to the aged has less charms in expectancy-the aged, like the poor, "make no new friends" -they have no after growths of joy, and what they lose, they lose forever! The aged heart in the affections grows craving and selfish, and hoards its beloved treasures as the miser clings to his gold. They realize, alas, that they must soon be separated, and they cling to objects that are dear, with all the tenacity of a deathless spirit. May God bless and shield you, daughter of my age!-child of my heart's best affections-sunbeam of a threshold where bereavement has too often cast its sombre shadow! And may we all meet again around our consecrated home-hearth, there to live and love till "life's poor transient night is spent." Love to all. Your affectionate father, D. S. DICKINSON. MR. DICKINSON TO MISS KNAPP. ALBANY, Sunday, February 2, 1862. MY DEAR ELIZA-I am here with your aunt, or rather she is with me, in our own hired parlor, and enjoying ourselves as well as we can away from our Orchard home and those we love so dearly. We shall only be here until about April; in the mean time one or both of us will be back and forth occasionally, according to circumstances. I mourn every moment I am separated from home and fam ily and all those I love, for as life advances it seems to me more than it did in former years that what I love now I love forever. Those earthly joys which are not now realized, never will be. There are many things to which my life stood pledg ed which I am sure are not to be realized: enjoyments of tranquillity in my own home, indulgence of seclusion in my family, association in seeing those I hold near and dear; for I am yet upon the stormy currents of existence, shall probably never cease to be borne along by them, until I am carried where the evening lights shine upon the land whose waters are still and where the storms never beat; and then all that will be said of me will be in the language of Montgomery, "There lived a man!" None will know how to sympathize with me in the loss of domestic quiet; none or few in the grief I experienced away from the associations of my home-hearth; and no one will care that I have not been enabled to see those I loved or to enjoy their society; but all will think me repaid in noise, éclat, and turbulence, for expatriation from all I hold dear. Your aunt joins me in love to you and all yours. With prayers for your safety, welfare, and happiness, I remain Your affectionate uncle, D. S. DICKINSON. MR. DICKINSON TO MISS HENDRICKSON. ALBANY, February 17, 1862. MY DEAR ANNIE-Your good, affectionate note came duly to hand, and I thank you for it. You have been so much engaged of late in military matters, that I feared you would forget some of your old friends, especially one of the rank of "General," for some one who is junior in age as well as rank. You went off as suddenly and as rapidly as though you were in the retreat from "Bull's Run." Albany is as cold as a doctrinal sermon in January, but is rather gay for war times. The good news is coming in so thick and fast, that I begin to think of copying the example of the "only white man "found in Beaufort. Your sisters called upon me some days since, and I shall return the call |